Occupational therapy is a profession that focuses on helping people develop, recover and maintain the skills they need to do daily living activities. It helps improve independence, self-esteem, social interactions and quality of life. Occupational therapists work with individuals of all ages who have physical disabilities or chronic illnesses such as arthritis or diabetes. They also help veterans returning from combat zones learn how to live with pain, injury and illness. If you are interested in learning more about occupational therapy Abu Dhabi facts, here are 6 amazing things you didn’t know!
Occupational Therapy Fact #1: Occupational therapy is a growing profession. As our population ages, the need for occupational therapists who work with older adults will rise significantly. It is estimated that in the next few years, more than 50% of all people over 65 will have some type of disability related to chronic illness or aging. Since many seniors prefer to stay at home as they age it means there are plenty of opportunities in this field!
Occupational Therapy Fact #2: Although most people think of occupational therapy helping injured veterans, did you know it also helps young children learn new skills? This can be especially important for kids who face developmental challenges such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Occupational Therapy Fact #3: Occupational therapy is a great profession for animal lovers! Some occupational therapists work with animals as part of their job and they can do everything from training service dogs to teaching owners how to care for pets with mobility issues.
Occupation Therapy Fact #4: The world’s first school of occupational therapy was founded in the United States at Teachers College, Columbia University in 1917 by Lucy Porter and Anne Williams. Since then more than 100 universities across North America have developed OT programs that offer bachelor’s degrees (BOT) or master’s degrees (MOT). In some countries such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand you can even earn your degree entirely online!
Occupational Therapy Fact #5: Did you know that all schools of occupational therapy include science and math courses in their curriculum? It is important for therapists to understand the physiological aspects of how the body works, especially when it comes to movement.
Occupational Therapy Fact #6: Did you know there are four different areas within OT called “domains”? These domains were developed by The World Federation of Occupation Therapists in order to help people identify which field best suits them based on their skills and interests.
